Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake

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Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1)letterperfect

1850s –  California

If her own two feet don’t end up tripping her, Ruth Caldwell’s mouth is likely to get her into equal trouble. But Ruth has the best of intentions. Truly. It’s just that her attempts to live up to her mother’s expectations of how a lady should act have often yielded…well, less than impressive results.
Josh McCain is speechless when he sees Ruth step off the stage in Folsom, California. Sure, it looks like she’s been sleeping in her gown for the past week, but with a crown of riotous curls and those deep green eyes, she’s certainly the most beautiful woman he’s ever met.

But Josh soon finds the sparks that fly upon Ruth’s arrival aren’t the romantic type. With her legitimate claims to an inheritance, the Broken P Ranch’s future is suddenly precarious. And when Ruth’s “accidents”–going beyond even her normal bumbling ways–seem to take a sinister turn, Josh must decide where his loyalties lie.

The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist

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The Measure of a Ladymeasureofalady

1849 – California

Rachel van Buren arrives in Gold Rush San Francisco with two wishes: to protect her younger siblings and to return east as soon as possible. Both goals prove more difficult than she could imagine as her brother and sister are lured by the city’s dangerous freedom and a missionary-turned-gambler stakes a claim on her heart. Rachel won’t give up without a fight though, and soon all will learn an eloquent but humorous lesson about what truly makes a lady.

Glimpses of Paradise James Scott Bell

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Goodreadsglimpsesofparadise ~ Purchase ~ Sample

1920s – California

A sweeping historical epic about dreams and dreamers, love and lovers, and the glitter factory of Hollywood

Two high school kids in small town Nebraska have their dreams. Zee, a minister’s daughter, wants to be a movie star. Doyle, the son of a wealthy lawyer, expects to follow in his father’s footsteps and practice law.

But World War I explodes and changes everyone forever. When Doyle ends up on the battlefields of France, though he performs ably, he comes home disillusioned. Rejecting his parents’ pleas to return to school, he finds himself in Los Angeles on the bottom rung of society.

Zee Miller is also in L. A., having run away from her father and the religion of her youth. But a stunning string of events, resulting in a charge of murder, will see their lives intersecting again in a way that may shatter them both.

Golden Gate Gazette by Various Authors

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Goodreadsgoldengategazette ~ Purchase

1860 – San Francisco

In 1860 in San Francisco, when newspaper workers strike, four women take the task of reporting the news in a man’s world while skirting danger and romance. Amy’s allegiance is questioned when arson fires seem linked to her family. Jennie’s curiosity gets her into the middle of a murder investigation. Helen makes a printing mistake that hurts an innocent man. Penney attempts to prove her value as a writer could cost her life. When the newspaper stories hit the stands, will these four women’s faith-and lives-endure to grasp the hand of love?

Once Chance in a Million by Cathy Marie Hake

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Goodreadsonechanceinamillion ~ Purchase

1800s – California

Having endured a grueling voyage from the British Islands, Mariam arrives at the Chance brothers’ ranch expecting to help her sister care for two children and six men. But Miriam is shocked to learn that her sister has died and her two nieces have been neglected. When the Chance brothers order Miriam to take the next ship back to her home, she digs in her heels. Her place is with her nieces – even if that reduces her chances of marriage to about one in a million. As the months pass, though, will Miriam come to believe that maybe one Chance is all she needs?

All the Way Home by Ann Tatlock

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Goodreads ~ Purchase ~ Sample

1930s/1960s – California/Mississippi

From a rough section of Los Angeles during the late Depression years, to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s in the South, this novel is a searing portrayal of one family trapped by alcoholism and another living the typical middle class life. A true American story told through the eyes of two girls, best friends, separated by the internment camps of World War II.

Ashes and Ice by Tracie Peterson

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Goodreads ~ Purchase ~ Sample

1898 – Alaska/California

When heartache and loss invade Karen Pierce’s carefully ordered world, she is devastated. Her plans and dreams for the future seem distant and unattainable, and she is bound by a promise to care for two young adults who are struggling with a loss of their own. Continuing their journey north to the goldfields seems their only option, and Adrik Ivanov agrees to be their guide. With a late start and the constant threat of winter hastening their pace, Adrik wonders at the wisdom of their decision. But he longs to prove his commitment and growing love for Karen, who has pushed aside his advances in the past. Inspired by the beautiful and rugged landscape, Karen thrives under the difficult conditions of their trek. As her heart begins to journey back to the core of her once-solid faith, will she dare to embrace the love offered to her?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

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Redeeming Loveredeeminglove

1850 – California

In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God’s unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this “soiled dove,” he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction.

The Ranchero’s Daughter by Kristin Billereck

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Goodreads ~ Purchase ~ Sample

1844 – California

Get swept away to the early days of California when the rancheros ruled the land of plenty. Isabella is betrothed to the wealthiest Californio in the land, but when a circuit-riding preacher of Spanish nobility rides in, it’s love at first sight. How can Isabella win the heart of a sword-fighting hero and still follow God’s will for her future?

Donovan’s Daughter by Lori Wick

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Donovan’s Daughter (The Californians, Book 4)donovansdaughter

1881 – California

When an angry snowstorm forces Marcail Donovan to seek shelter for the night at the town doctor’s house, the pretty new schoolteacher is thrust into a scandal that threatens her career. The unfortunate but innocent circumstances bring harsh condemnation to Marcail, but the compassionate bachelor doctor offers her a way to remain the town’s teacher. Now she must face an inner turmoil worse than any storm. Is Donovan’s Daughter willing to give up her own dreams to bring God’s love to the children she teaches?

Sean Donovan by Lori Wick

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Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3)seandonovan

1874 – California

Caught in his first bank robbery, Sean Donovan is sentenced to hang. But Charlotte Cooper, who needs a blacksmith for her livery, has other ideas. By law, a woman of good standing in the community can save a man from the gallows by marrying him. Humbled by the dramatic rescue and renewed in his faith, Sean’s heart goes out to his new bride, a woman whose past has prompted her to guard her heart. Yet could the talk around town be true? Is the fiercely independent Charlotte falling for Sean Donovan?

As Time Goes By by Lori Wick

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As Time Goes By (The Californians, Book 2)astimegoesby

1872 – California

For five years handsome Jeff Taylor has wanted to apologize to Bobbie Bradford in person. But she left town the day after the humiliating episode at the picnic and never returned. Older now, Jeff has grown in his faith and as a man. Still, the news that Bobbie is returning to Santa Rosa while considering Cleve Ramsey’s proposal of marriage comes as a shock. Will their friendship be restored after heartbreaking betrayal? Can love grow as time goes by?

Whatever Tomorrow Brings by Lori Wick

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Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians, Book 1)whatevertomorrowbrings

1871 – California

In the midst of fresh grief and unfamiliar surroundings, Kaitlin, the Donovans’ oldest daughter, must face life in rugged California. Will the men of this restless country take advantage of her innocence? Will she recognize God’s unexpected gift of love? Can she keep her family safe until her father returns? Grief turns to triumph and innocence to maturity as Kaitlin lifts her heart to God for the strength to face whatever tomorrow brings.